HoC Constitutional Affairs Committee: Freedom of Information: one year on

The final evidence session took place yesterday, 18th April, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs gave evidence

Watch at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/, click on archive and search under Committees

Some very interesting issues/news/views emerged in her evidence:

- the Section 45 Code of Practice is due for review later in 2006
- On Delay: no "systemic problems"
- On Clearing House transparency: "information must be given in context", committee pressed for greater information about the workings of the clearing house
- Expanded role of the clearing house to cover local government? DCA not suitable- local government could "Develop themselves", with DCA support/advice, will discuss with the Information Commissioner
- Bid for additional resources for the Information Commissioner (see previous post): extra £550,000 to be given by the DCA (plus extra 300K to be saved in efficiency)
- Discussion of whether the IC should report directly to Parliament (instead of DCA), as in Scotland
-Fees review - not yet near the stage of full public consultation - would involve the user group initially (Baroness Ashton's position seemed to be rather unclear on the whole issue)
-Discussion of records management and preservation of digital records

Full transcript should be available in a few weeks